Taiwan artists chosen for Venice Biennale '09

The 53rd International Art Exhibition, organized by La Biennale di Venezia Foundation, will run from June 7 to November 22, 2009 under the title “Making Worlds.”

For this reason, Hsieh Ying-chun, Chen Chieh-jen, Chang Chien-chi and Yu Cheng-ta will explore how “Taiwan makes its own world” through “foreign affairs” with a series of contemporary artworks that reflect on the country's identity issue, officials from Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM) said yesterday.

Hsieh Hsiao-yun, director of the TFAM, told reporters that the local artists will help the world understanding the country's “soft power.”

The artists reportedly chose photography, some video installations and other special devices as a medium for their creative work.

The Venice Biennale has for over a century been one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world. Ever since its foundation in 1895, it has been in the avant-garde, promoting new artistic trends and organizing international events in the contemporary arts in accordance with a multi-disciplinary model which characterizes its unique nature.

According to Chang Fang-wei, director of TFAM's Biennial and International Office, Hsieh, an architect by training, will showcase at the exhibition some eco-friendly construction projects he used to assist minority or underprivileged groups in countries such as China, Indonesia and Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Chang, Chen and Yu are poised to present some new works for the landmark exhibition.

Chang, an acclaimed photographer who joined Magnum Photos in 1996, has been noted for his extensive reportage of Chinese immigrants striving to survive in New York City. In recent years, he has extended his focus on those immigrants' families whose offspring have remained in China.

Also, Yu, a young, promising artist, has been exploring the role of languages in communication and interaction in his “Ventriloquists” series, addressing issues faced by most foreigners living in Taiwan, whereas Chen, already renowned for his reflective works on the relations between image and authority, will introduce his new film production, titled “Imperial Borders I.”

The TFAM has managed and funded a long history of Taiwanese representation at the Biennale since 1992 in collaboration with the Council for Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Government and the Department of Cultural Affairs of Taipei City. It owns the Taiwan Pavilion in Venice.

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